But two minutes later Vale were back on level terms when Steve Brooker raced clear and lifted the ball over Jim Provett and into the net.

The game turned, however, on 22 minutes when Vale skipper Sam Collins was shown the red card for hauling back Paul Robinson.

And things got even better when Ritchie Humphreys restored Pool's lead just after the half hour, drilling home Gavin Strachan's corner.

A 69th minute header from Michael Nelson made it 3-1, and moments later another Strachan corner was turned home by Eifion Williams.

With heavy snow falling, substitute Darrell Clarke added a fifth, turning home a Humphreys cross with just seven minutes to play, before Michael Cummins headed a consolation for the home side in the dying moments.

The win moves Pool above Vale in the table into eighth spot - just one point off the play-offs.

Pool keeper Anthony Williams made his debut for Stockport County in their 3-2 defeat at Tranmere.

The former Welsh U21 shot-stopper joined County on a loan month loan last week and was handed his debut by boss Sammy McIlroy.

But the Welsh stopper was powerless to prevent Rovers' Ryan Taylor bagging a hat-trick, including two penalties.